Solo Travel in Tokyo

With only two phrases in Japanese that I know: "Sumimasen" and "Arigatou," I used Google Maps to find my way to the first destination, the Jinja Shrine, where I enjoyed a delicious breakfast at a nearby restaurant. 🌸🍃 I had no idea what the dish was called, but it tasted better than last night's ramen. 🌇🌿The noodles were soft and chewy, with a light flavor of fermented tofu and wasabi - just the right amount. The famous Asagaya Shrine was surprisingly small, taking only a minute to walk through. 🌸🍃 It was even smaller than the bougainvillea park near my home. [Sly smile]. 🌇🌿Koenji is not a temple but a bustling commercial district, similar to a vibrant pedestrian street with small shops in my home country. Since I had already eaten breakfast, I wasn't sure what else to eat or drink, and I didn't feel like shopping. 🌸🍃 I passed by an exquisite old shop that specialized in chocolate. I didn't know how to choose, and now I regret not picking up some to try. [Wiping sweat]. 🌇🌿I saw two kindergartens along the way, where teachers were taking the children on field trips. Each teacher was holding hands with two or three kids, which was really adorable. I also passed by a primary school and another kindergarten. The playgrounds were made of sand and soil, something rarely seen in my home country. 🌇🌿 I wondered how the children managed to have physical education classes in windy or rainy weather. The school equipment looked old and outdated, which changed my perception of education in developed countries. I also noticed that Japanese children don't universally wear shorts and skirts in the cold winter. 🌇🌿 That's great; it feels like normal winter attire. In Asagaya, I rarely saw girls wearing miniskirts. There were some, but they were definitely in the minority. The way people dressed and their heights were similar to what I'm used to at home. 🌸🍃 This morning in Tokyo was really cold. My face and nose were bright red from the cold, and my hands were almost numb. After wandering around for three hours, I headed home to warm up with the heater. 🌸🍃 I'll continue my solo exploration this afternoon! #Tokyo #JinjaShrine